Search - Glenn Tilbrook :: The Incomplete Glenn Tilbrook

Get the Difford solo CD...

03/29/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"it's simply much better and not a hit-or-miss attempt at writing 90s Squeeze songs."

A for Effort, C for Execution

Zim | Washington, D.C. United States | 12/30/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Ex-Squeeze tunesmith Glenn Tilbrook ventures out into the vast wasteland of the "solo artist" on his solo debut from indie label Quixotic Records.



Tilbrook, best known for his vocal stylings with England's 80s new-wave hipsters Squeeze, has toured solo on and off for several years. When Squeeze officially dissolved, Tilbrook made the decision to work on a solo recording. No stranger to song writing--He composed the music for Squeeze along with lyricist Chris Difford--Tilbrook takes his first crack at lyrics with mixed results.



There seems to be a marked attempt to duplicate Difford's narrative style on many numbers. These often fall flat. The most egregious example is the track, "Interviewing Randy Newman," in which Tilbrook relates in excruciating detail the experience of conducting an interview with his idol for the BBC. It's difficult not to cringe when he rhymes "Newman" with "clue man."



At other times the lyrics work better as on "G.S.O.H. Essential" and One Dark Moment. The former is an autobiographical plea for acceptance as a solo artist which acknowledges the difficulties obtaining success as a paunchy, middle-aged pop singer in the era of Britney and Cristina, as well as the challenges of "running a small shop in the age of a global superstore." Tilbrook also gets by with a little help from his friends, co-writing with indie darling Aimee Mann, Ron Sexsmith, Chris Braide and Kim Stockwood.



Fans of Tilbrook's soulful tenor will not be disappointed. His voice seems to get better every year. He is also one of the best guitarists in the business.



I do wonder why the best song from these sessions, By the Light of the Cash Machine, wasn't included on this album. It would have made a strong single, but instead is relegated to the B-side of a single. Oh well."